Appraiser Independence Violation?

[hastalavista]

I don't understand why there is a resistance by some to obtain potential data or even have communication with real estate agents.
I prefer to talk to the agents involved in a sale (ideally, both of them). They can provide me insight/information that I likely do not have or cannot obtain without talking to them.
I never qualify what they can give me (give me anything you want). If I have a process I use during the inspection (I don't want to be bugged) I'll ask them to hold off until I'm finished; that way I can concentrate on the inspection and then give them my full attention.
There is always the risk of having an idiot agent. I'm sure they run into idiot appraisers. But how the interchange of information can possibly contaminate my process escapes me.

How does their data impact my independence, impartiality, or objectivity? (answer: it doesn't)

 

[timd354]

I advised in this tread against sending this type of email. However, the reaction of the agent was extreme and out of proportion and worthy of complaint to her broker. An agent would also be out of line making a board complaint if the appraisal came in "low," and am surprised you think doing that is justified because an agent is peeved about a sentence in an email.

Where did I ever say that it would be justified for an agent to make a board complaint based an appraisal that came in under the contract price?

Oh, that's right, I never made any such assertion.

You missed the entire point of that part of my post, which is not exactly a surprise.

The point that I was trying to make that you obviously missed is that it is not a smart business practice to create friction and peeve people off for no good reason since when you do that, it makes it much more likely that some of these people are going seek out retribution whether or not that retribution is justified.

 

[J Grant]

The 2, and only 2 times I withdrew from assignments in my career due to RE agent/party interference was not because their data could influence me, they were two specific situations where I felt intimidated/threatened by the individuals. Both happened after inspection, one of which the builder literally followed me around yelling about appraisals that dont' come in, and the agent bragging about all the appraisals she turns in to the board for "low " values. It was my decision so I did not charge for the inspection.

Remainder of time, I tune out/block out/ divert if their comps, information, etc is inappropriate. In general their list of sales are those that are in value direction they want , appraisers who fail to recognize that are native. Within that context, some of their comps can be good and occasionally they will include a sale I am grateful for them to providing, might have been hard to find especially if it was a pocket listing etc.

Some of their comments are so outlandish and off the mark they are comical and it's hard to keep a straight face when they make them.

 

[TRESinc]

I advised in this tread against sending this type of email. However, the reaction of the agent was extreme and out of proportion and worthy of complaint to her broker. An agent would also be out of line making a board complaint if the appraisal came in "low," and am surprised you think doing that is justified because an agent is peeved about a sentence in an email.

that's not what was posted.

In this case, it accomplished nothing other than peeving off the agent who is now going to trash this appraiser's reputation to everyone she knows and who is also probably more likely to file a complaint with a state board if the appraised value comes in below the contract price as she already is peeved off and rightly or wrongly thinks that the appraiser is unprofessional.

tim said they are probably more likely to file a complaint after being upset by the appraiser's comments, which is understandable but no where did he say it was justifiable, for a report coming in below the contract price. people report appraisers daily for unjustifiable reasons and some of those people are not even a party to the transaction.

 

[timd354]

Some of their comments are so outlandish and off the mark they are comical and it's hard to keep a straight face when they make them.

Not a lot different from some of what is posted here on the AF

 

[J Grant]

TMD I said the same thing several times, her email was not appropriate so your comments did not go "way over my head" did you not see my comments made several times to that affect?

You did not state agent making a board complaint is justified but your post content supports that view. Read your own post perhaps you lack insight into how what you write comes across.

 

[J Grant]

He said the appraiser created the problem, not the agent. That sums up his thinking on the matter with far more blame going to an appraiser for a clumsy email sentence than an agent who is violating independence. Good for the appraiser her client has common sense and is ethical .

 

[Eli]

I don't understand why there is a resistance by some to obtain potential data or even have communication with real estate agents.
I prefer to talk to the agents involved in a sale (ideally, both of them). They can provide me insight/information that I likely do not have or cannot obtain without talking to them.
I never qualify what they can give me (give me anything you want). If I have a process I use during the inspection (I don't want to be bugged) I'll ask them to hold off until I'm finished; that way I can concentrate on the inspection and then give them my full attention.
There is always the risk of having an idiot agent. I'm sure they run into idiot appraisers. But how the interchange of information can possibly contaminate my process escapes me.

How does their data impact my independence, impartiality, or objectivity? (answer: it doesn't)

Yep, I'm like a sponge. The motivations revealed by agents is priceless "sometimes". I know agents are motivated to sell properties. They know I know it and understand that. But, the "other" info they disclose like motivations is priceless relative to market value appraisals "sometimes".

 

[Eli]

I understand the timing issue. I don't want them or anybody else talking to me when I am doing my inspection.

And let me say this. A commercial appraiser depends on agents even more than residential appraisers imo. Much more. A commercial appraiser would not want to start the appraisal process with a letter like the OP sent.

Here is another thought. On the commercial side, I may need that commercial agent some where down the road for data on a comp that they sold or rented or have listed etc. I might need them on the residential side as well.

 

[Tom D]

if the sale appears overpriced i certainly like to hear what the agent has to say, or what they used. makes it easier to defend your position in preparation for any realtor remark. of course i listen intently, smile, and thank them. i listen to everybody, can't say i came in with a bad attitude. i love your email, did you have a picture of a "little time out" chair in it. although, i will agree with you that a chatty owner who can't stop following you has thrown me off my zen inspection.